December 11, 2015 – Having climbed on the podium in both of his Hill Climb participations in 2014, Paul Kossaifi’s objective for 2015 was, obviously, to improve by scoring victories and fighting for the rear-wheel drive title onboard his BMW E46.
Kossaifi’s start to the season in Deir El Qamar Hill Climb was spectacular as he set the quickest time in all three heats, keeping his RWD rivals Michel Zgheib and Elie Hage behind, to eventually take the win, whilst his main competitor Garo Haroutiounian retired as a result of a mechanical failure.
The second round of the season in Falougha was no easy affair for Kossaifi; he topped the RWD times in the first heat, but improvements from Haroutiounian in the second and third heats meant that Paul had to settle for second place in the class in the end, but, crucially, maintaining his lead in the championship.
Going into the third and final round in Bkassine, Paul had two options: take it easy, settle for a podium position and secure the RWD title or push for a class win and take the title in style. He chose the latter, but it wasn’t that simple, as Garo went quickest in the first heat. However, Paul responded in the second heat to take the lead, and further bettered his time in the third heat to confirm a rear-wheel drive class win and the 2015 Lebanese Hill Championship RWD title.
Paul’s two victories and one second-place finish in the Hill Climb championship was accompanied by three second-place finishes in the Pro class of the 2015 Lebanese Speed Test Championship onboard a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, making 2015 his most successful season ever.
What’s more to come from Paul? We’ll find out in a few months’ time.
